iPredict tour stops off at two Lisburn schools

Translink NI Railways and Cahoots NI’s rail safety project iPredict, which was performed to over 4000 people in 2014, called at two Lisburn schools recently as part of a three week tour of schools, train stations and youth groups around Northern Ireland.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Feb 2015, 11:06 BST
Fort Hill Integrated College pupils with Translink NI Railways Route Manager, Gerard McAtarsney, Translink NI Railways Lisburn Line Supervisor, Pat Hunt and Cahoots NI at the performance of iPredict - a Translink, Cahoots NI and Arts & Business collaborative rail safety project.Fort Hill Integrated College pupils with Translink NI Railways Route Manager, Gerard McAtarsney, Translink NI Railways Lisburn Line Supervisor, Pat Hunt and Cahoots NI at the performance of iPredict - a Translink, Cahoots NI and Arts & Business collaborative rail safety project.
Fort Hill Integrated College pupils with Translink NI Railways Route Manager, Gerard McAtarsney, Translink NI Railways Lisburn Line Supervisor, Pat Hunt and Cahoots NI at the performance of iPredict - a Translink, Cahoots NI and Arts & Business collaborative rail safety project.

iPredict which is aimed at 9-15 year olds was performed at St Aloysius Primary School and Fort Hill Integrated College, where it used magic and digital media to predict the outcomes of an imaginary train journey.

The performance challenges the thoughts of young people about rail safety including pedestrian trespass, train speeds, stopping distances and technology distraction.

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iPredict was also awarded the prize for Cultural branding at the recent Arts & Business awards, for its creativity in in managing a difficult subject.

St Aloysius Primary School pupils with Translink NI Railways Senior Customer Service Co-ordinator and Cahoots NI at the performance of iPredict - a Translink, Cahoots NI and Arts & Business collaborative rail safety project.St Aloysius Primary School pupils with Translink NI Railways Senior Customer Service Co-ordinator and Cahoots NI at the performance of iPredict - a Translink, Cahoots NI and Arts & Business collaborative rail safety project.
St Aloysius Primary School pupils with Translink NI Railways Senior Customer Service Co-ordinator and Cahoots NI at the performance of iPredict - a Translink, Cahoots NI and Arts & Business collaborative rail safety project.

Gerard McAtarsney, Route Manager, Translink NI Railways said: “Educating people how to keep themselves safe while on or near the railway network is one of our biggest challenges.

“Unfortunately these safety messages cannot be repeated enough as people continue to take risks by using the rail network as a shortcut or behaving foolishly near level crossings or at train stations.

“iPredict was really well received by audiences last year and this time we will be making the performance available to NI Railways passengers at Coleraine train station and a number of youth groups. iPredict has already stopped at Central Station and Portadown Train Station to give passengers a taster.”

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Paul Bosco McEneaney, Artistic Director of Cahoots NI, commented: “The objective of this partnership from the outset was to develop a relevant and entertaining project which appealed to the target age group of 9-15 year olds but also delivered a fundamental message about rail safety to the audience.

“Using Cahoots NI’s unique style of magic and illusion we developed with Translink this technology driven performance with the use of iPads and screens to create magical effects around the theme of rail safety with pupils experiencing extraordinary feats of magic right before their eyes. We are delighted to be bringing iPredict back for a second year running.”

Heather Carr, Arts & Business added: “Arts & Business’ support of iPredict for the second time is testament to the uniqueness of the project and recognition of how a challenging subject is being treated in a really creative and innovative way.”

For more information on iPredict, please visit www.translink.co.uk/iPredict

Related topics:LisburnNorthern Ireland